Hello, Dr. Valentine!
I'm afraid I'm at a bit of a loss...I know how to help a horse gain weight, but I don't know how to help my 5 year old Haflinger mare lose weight! Currently, she and my 19 year old Belgian mare are on the EPSM diet, although the Haffie has not exhibited signs of EPSM or shivers (the Belgian is doing wonderfully! "oD). I thought I was on the right track, but after reading some other posts regarding really easy keepers, I'm now wondering if there might be something better I could be doing?
Rosie, the Haffie, is turned out most of the time and has a rather energetic pasture buddy who does help her keep moving. However, I'm positive I'll need to be working her if I hope to get the weight off her.
Currently, she is fed 2 cups of corn oil mixed with 4lbs of Strategy divided into two meals. Otherwise, she's fed strictly grass hay...a couple of horses on our farm are very sensitive to alfalfa so we don't keep it around.
Should I take Rosie off the EPSM diet and go with something else? Or substitute beet pulp for the Strategy? My worry is that if I restrict her too much, she'll not feel full and attempt to find ways of wandering to areas she shouldn't (fences or no!). What would you suggest?
Thank you so much for your time!!

Sincerely,
Marney

I agree that getting some weight off is in order. Strategy 14% protein is at the upper limit of starch and sugar content for an EPSM diet (34%). The 12% protein Strategy is even higher. So, yes, switching to beet pulp will help a lot in reducing calories. Soaked beet pulp swells and may make her feel she has eaten more than she really has. Since she has shown no obvious EPSM issues I would also reduce the oil to 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day until she loses some weight. And, of course, as much work as you can give her will help. The pasture exercise sounds ideal! Glad to hear your Belgian is doing well. Good luck with both of them!